I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment.

Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out.

I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time.

At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained.

Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button.

So there I was April 17^th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS.

As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration.

Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss.

Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side.

I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost.

If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be.

My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188.

Peace!!

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jim. What an inspiration you are. I am in bandster hell right now patiently awaiting my first fill on December 2. I wish you continued success!!!

Thank you for sharing. I am in banister hell and don't see the end any time near. I am so upset at my Doctors lack of support. It is great to know there will be brighter days ahead

Tomorrow morning I board a plane for Orlando for a 7 day Disney/Universal Vacation. This was the reward I set myself in 2012 when my journey began. I told myself if I could ever make goal this is how I will reward myself. It amazes me how different life is from 3 short years ago when I could bearly stand on my own two feet for 10 minutes.

My advice....set a goal and never lose sight of the dream. Put yourself first and get the help you need to be successful where ever it may be.

OMG Jim this just made my day.

Have enormous fun!

Jim. You looking f'n amazing. I hope you and Kelly have the best time.

Arlene

WOW what a change since you last posted I bet your family & You are ecstatic about the transformation , you should do a side by side if you can & take a look at what YOU have done , SO AWESOME .

I hope you and Kelly have a wonderful trip Jim! Take lots of pictures so we can see them, OK?

Hey Jim. Looking good! I just returned from Walt Disney World. I have some advice if you're talking a "princess" with you (as did we) who has her heart set on meeting Elsa and Anna - plan to go when the park is to midnight or 1AM and make this the last thing you do. The wait times during most of the day was 2 to 2 1/2 hours and we could never get a fast pass. We went about 11:40 PM and waited for about 10 minutes. And be careful of the scooter people and strollers - it's an obstacle course out there!

Hi Jim,

I have to say I can relate to much of what you had to say in your story; even cried a little. I'm so proud of you!

Jim omg you look wonderful. Congratz. ????

Your story is such a motivator to me. That's great weight loss in 2.5 years. I just had my first full today. So I'm early in the process, but dedicated!! I had my band surgery on Feb 6, 2015 and as of today I have lost 38lbs. I have probably another 200lbs to go. You should be extremely proud of yourself. I can't wait to be where you are and post my success story!!

_{Thanks Jim for your inspirational story.}

_{I'm glad I'm not the only person that is experiencing "Bandster Hell" as you put it. I'm looking into getting my 2nd fill since I seem to be hungry a lot still & am starting to fall off the wagon. I'm hoping to get back on track before too much damage is done.}

_{Wishing you & your family the very best of health in the future.}

Thank you for sharing. I especially like your comment " There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS". That has been my thoughts and hesitation about ever having the surgery. I am now in the pre-approval stage doing the liquid diet. So hopefully by the middle of next month I will know if I am approved for the surgery and get a surgery date.

Thank you all for the kind words. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back in here and reply. Work and life has been crazy as of late. Northeast really got hit hard this Winter and we've had snow every single weekend since beginning of January.

I think in regards to the band life I believe you really have to take it on and make it a project. To be honest when I reached a point where trips to the Doctor office became less frequent I began feeling more out of touch with the process.

As time has gone on I still miss the frequent interaction it but I am enjoying life more than ever. I only see my band doctor one every 6 months. This last time they asked me if I wanted to push it out to a year and I said no way.

April 16 will be my 3 year anniversary. I still have my days when I look in the mirror and see a very large man. I have lots of loose skin that needs to be taken care of at some point. I am betting with skin surgery that scale will easily drop another 10 and maybe even 15 pounds. I have sag every where and it is not pretty. My wife has been nothing but supportive and said she is so happy I am healthy and energetic once again.

Bandster hell was the toughest phase for me. I think it was 6 or 7 months before I really found the zone and the weight really started moving. It was frustrating as hell but I stuck with it because it was all I had. Anything was better then the alternative. If you find yourself stuck in bandster hell or even going in the wrong direction with the scale the LAST thing you ever want to do is cancel appointments out of embarrassment. Doctors and adjustments cannot help you if you do not go to those appointments and let it all hang out. No excuses, no embarrassment just tell them what is really going on and let them help you.

Right now I fluctuate between 159 and 163. Not bad for a guy starting out at 488. Please let me know if I can be of any help to anyone. I know I don't get on here nearly as much as I should but I do get email notifications of PM's and responses threads I participate in.

Thank you again and I hope you all become successful and happy losers :-)

Bandster hell was the toughest phase for me. I think it was 6 or 7 months before I really found the zone and the weight really started moving. It was frustrating as hell but I stuck with it because it was all I had. Anything was better then the alternative. If you find yourself stuck in bandster hell or even going in the wrong direction with the scale the LAST thing you ever want to do is cancel appointments out of embarrassment. Doctors and adjustments cannot help you if you do not go to those appointments and let it all hang out. No excuses, no embarrassment just tell them what is really going on and let them help you.

Nice to see you online again @Jim1967. This paragraph has to be pinned somewhere. Banded folks have got to understand that this surgery can be slow and frustrating at times but that you can't give up. I see it way too often and I wonder why doctors don't explain this part of the process better...or if we are guilty of 'selective' listening and just don't hear this part.

Great post Jim!